The Forbidding Hadalpelagic Zone | TaeJin

16. Together? Is that possible?

Jin woke up with a splitting headache that morning. He slapped his alarm shut and pulled the duvet over his head. He hated the brightness in his room. Uncle Sejin from his orphanage had always preached that after every dark night there came a brighter day ahead. But to Jin, brightness was an illusion while darkness was his reality. His bright days had always been filled with pitch darkness, to which his eyes and soul had become accustomed to. The only exceptions were the days that he had spent with Taehyung in the past, and his initial days with Jimin at the orphanage.

Jin's eyelids fluttered unsteadily, remembering the kiss he shared with Taehyung the previous night. He was so immersed in the moment that for a split second he thought that he saw a light at the end of the tunnel. But Taehyung's voice had stomped his hope and confined him back into the dark tunnel again.

Ken, the name he had used to con Taehyung in the past, seemed to echo into his ears from every corner of the room, forcing out a choked sob from him. Jin clasped his hands over his ears and curled himself into foetal position, as the name from the past pierced through his ears like a powerful thunder that tore open the gloomy dark sky. Jin cried and cried, until he felt his eyes stinging and his throat became parched, and he laid there on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling that was painted blue.

Jin forced himself out of the bed after what seemed like hours, and walked into the bathroom. He splashed water on his face and rested his hands on either side of the bathroom sink, looking at his reflection in the mirror. His eyes were swollen red and his face looked bloated.

Jin cursed himself for crying his eyes out pathetically. In his line of work, looking cute and beautiful all the time was a must, but here he was looking like a freaking panda. Jin huffed in annoyance and began brushing his teeth. He took a nice and long shower, easing his mind and body under the warm water. After relaxing himself and scrubbing the tension off his body, Jin wrapped a towel around his waist and stepped out of the bathroom.

Jin stood in front of the mirror in his bedroom and observed his face again. He took out the makeup kit, which he rarely used but had always kept with him for emergency use. He could just cook up some pitiful stories to Junghoon if in case he failed to hide his grief but still he wasn't ready to take a chance, when he could notice the slight advances in Junghoon's gestures.

When Jin came downstairs, he looked a lot better, except for the slight red tint in his eyes. He saw Jimin working in the kitchen, humming softly to himself. His heart sank immediately as reality hit him hard. He had spent an entire night crying for himself but he had forgotten to think about what would happen to Jimin when all the drama came to an end.

Jin knew that Jimin had begun opening up to Taehyung, and in no time, the child would grow fond of the elder. But who wouldn't? Taehyung was a kind and gentle person. He was handsome and charming. Taehyung had a very pure heart, unlike himself who always thought of ways to betray people. But he was not sure if Taehyung would be this forgiving if he was not around again. He had already double crossed Taehyung once and all he expected was Taehyung's hate and anger. However Taehyung had proved him wrong by bringing them home.

'But will he love Jimin like I do? Will Tae treat Chim the same way if I am not around? Will he protect Chim like I would? If... if I leave Jimin with Taehyung, will he lead a normal life like other kids of his age? Will Jimin stand strong?', thousands of questions swarmed around Jin's mind but he had answers to none.